Dealing with Itchy Skin Around My Stoma

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Ok. So I thought it was getting better. I am so itchy at the bottom of my stoma. So itchy I wish I could take a fork to it. 

Someone had suggested using colloidal silver spray to help my skin. I believe that is what caused the rash near my belly button. So thats a no go. I'll stick to the calamine lotion for now. 

I'm worried if I use antifungal powder it will keep the barrier ring from adhering to my skin. Not sure what else to do. Is the itching normal because of healing? 

What the hell is this weird bubble on the side?!

Why does this thing cause me such anxiety

🥴

Your anxiety is well placed. It's new. You can't control it...or rather trying to control it makes you curse.

Ever train a puppy to potty? Trying to get it to poop on that pad?

Yeah...patience.

Your skin looks damn good. But I swear I see two stoma spuds. Like you said, what the hell is this bubble?

Indeed. What the hell is that?

As you know, whatever powder you put on or under that thing, you're going to need a protective spray. That...upon drying will give you your adhesion.

Ha ha. In the beginning, I was doing it opposite. Spray...then powder! 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️😲 then wafer or flange. Always protect if you can. The last step...before applying your appliance.

Warrior anyway you can message me please

I'm not an advocate of the stuff unless your skin is irritated (which yours seems to be), but do you use a barrier spray or wipe? Also, those stitches can itch like crazy as things heal.

Are you talking about that bubble around the stitch? That's normal. I had one just like that with my loop ileostomy. It's from the stitch. And Alex T is correct; those stitches itch. It could also be your skin getting used to the wafer, and a combination of both.

Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

I just keep pulling my hair questioning what I'm doing wrong lol

I was hoping it was the stitches!

Thank you. Everything makes me panic right now. 

I do have 2 spuds... I believe. Stacked. The surgeon met with me on Monday and said next year this time we will remove my colon and close up shop. For now, the bottom spud is keeping my colon alive? I don't know. Don't quote me.

Question: If the doctor is going to remove your colon, why didn't he remove it now instead of waiting a year?

Well...pulling your hair out...ain't going to change your stoma size...so stop pulling your hair 😄😆.

Give yourself time. There are no quick answers or easy ways other than time. Experiment. Get some advice...try this or that. Just don't go bald!

As Arnold Horshack said, "Oh oh oh... I know, I know... may I?"

If her doctor was thinking like mine, he was going to reconnect the small intestine to the stump.

It was Plan B... Part 2. Because at emergency surgery, they just get you fixed without further ado.

Perhaps the same thing in her case too.

Kept an option open, I would think.

Because my issue was complex, he wanted to make sure that this ileostomy worked before he removed my colon. So far, it's working beautifully.

Mostly correct!!

I can't imagine an ileo not working though, unless more severe issues are preexisting. I'm glad it works for you; it's coming along.

Shamrock's suggestion about athlete's foot powder is a good one. I tried this and it is helping with the itchy skin issues I was having. But it isn't an overnight fix. 

Gotcha...

When I change my barrier, I have the same issue! The skin looks good, just itches so bad. I never thought about using a fork, haha! But I do scratch the heck out of it; it's always in the same area. I don't have any leakage, so it's not caused by that. Once I get my new barrier on, the itch subsides. But boy, do I scratch the hell out of it!